Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers who defected on Friday, included the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule.
The development represents the latest political twist in the drama that has enveloped the oil-rich state.
Naijaonpoint reports that the legislators who defected to the APC blamed the leadership crisis rocking the PDP for their decision.
Rivers House of Assembly members who defected include the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Others are Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
It will be recalled that the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending what it described as his leadership style and contributions to the development of the state.
The confidence vote, adopted at the 37th Legislative Sitting, followed a motion jointly signed by all 26 lawmakers.
The House highlighted the President’s commitment to inclusive governance, particularly through the appointment of several Rivers indigenes into key federal offices.
Leading the debate on the motion, the Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, praised President Tinubu for sustaining policies that he said had brought economic benefits to both the state and its local governments.
Jack said the President’s approach to leadership had been fatherly, adding that ongoing federal projects and strategic appointments were already impacting communities across Rivers.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Martin Chike Amaewhule, described President Tinubu as a compassionate father of the nation who had kept his promises to the Rivers people.
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